Published: December 15, 2025
KPAYEAKWELLEH, Gbarpolu County — Gbarpolu County District Two Representative Luther Sandy Collins broke ground over the weekend for the construction of a maternity waiting home at the Kpayeakwelleh Clinic, launching a community health project that had been delayed for months by legislative disruptions but is now moving forward through the lawmaker’s personal financing.
The maternity waiting home was initially selected as one of the district-level projects approved under the 2024 national budget, during a period when lawmakers were permitted to identify development initiatives tailored to the needs of their constituencies. According to Collins, maternal health quickly emerged as a priority in District Two, where expectant mothers often travel long distances under difficult conditions to access basic health services.
However, the project stalled after a prolonged impasse at the Capitol Building that lasted nearly nine months, halting legislative activities and preventing the disbursement of funds for district projects. Collins said the money earmarked for the maternity waiting home was never received, despite earlier public announcements that the project would be implemented.
“Because I had already broken the news of this maternity home construction, I personally decided to honor the cost,” Collins told residents, elders, women leaders, youth representatives and members of the county health team who attended the ceremony. “What will be put here is not for me, but for the community.”
The lawmaker acknowledged the frustration caused by the delay and issued an apology to residents on behalf of the broader political system, stressing that the setback should not be interpreted as abandonment of the project. He also highlighted the logistical challenges of undertaking construction work in the district, particularly during the rainy season when road access is limited and many residents are engaged in farming.
“Sometimes in the rainy season, you will not have any construction work going on,” Collins said. “But today, we are here to officially begin.”
The maternity waiting home, once completed, is expected to provide temporary accommodation for pregnant women—especially those from remote communities—who need to remain close to the clinic in the final weeks of pregnancy. Health officials say such facilities are critical in rural settings, where late arrival at health centers contributes to preventable maternal and neonatal complications.
Community leaders welcomed the groundbreaking as a positive development and used the occasion to stress the importance of transparency and communication between elected officials and citizens. Speaking during the groundbreaking, the Clinic OIC and traditional said delays in public projects often breed mistrust when residents are not adequately informed of the reasons.
“Information is very powerful,” the elder said. “When people do not understand what caused a delay, they lose confidence. But today, we are happy that this long-awaited project is beginning.”
Women leaders also praised the initiative, describing the maternity waiting home as a long-standing need in the area. They noted that pregnant women frequently arrive at the clinic late due to poor roads and transportation challenges, increasing health risks for both mothers and babies.
“This project is for all pregnant women,” a women’s representative said. “When they come early, they can stay here and be safe.”
Traditional Leaders and Elders of the town of the Kpayeakwelleh expressed appreciation for the project and pledged to work with the community to ensure proper use and maintenance of the facility once completed. Youth leaders also committed to supporting and safeguarding the construction process.
Gbarpolu County remains one of Liberia’s least developed regions, with limited health infrastructure and seasonal isolation caused by poor road networks. Local health workers say the maternity waiting home represents a practical and sustainable intervention that could significantly improve access to skilled care for expectant mothers in District Two.
Residents emphasized that the project belongs to the community and reaffirmed their commitment to monitor and support it through completion, describing the initiative as an important step toward improving health outcomes in one of the county’s most underserved areas.
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